Playing the ukulele and bowls are a few of Barbara’s hobbies. Barbara is a very active 83-year-old who has been living with muscle weakness and fatigue as a result of Polio.

“Because I had Polio, I couldn’t dance and do a lot of things other people could do.”

Despite her condition, Barbara played competitive golf for almost half a century, winning plenty of championships along the way. She won the B Grade Club Championships and the B Grade Foursomes Championships twice and also represented North Ryde Golf club in Silver Pennants.

Barbara was left disappointed when she came to realise that she couldn’t pursue lawn bowls as her walker was not permitted on the greens. The wheels on her walker were too narrow and would damage the grass. Refusing to give up on her dream, Barbara went on a mission to find a suitable walker.

Barbara came across TAD’s Green Safe Walker and she was delighted to find that the walker had special wheels that have been approved by Bowls Australia for use on bowling greens. It also offered a sturdy seat for Barbara, enabling her to play bowls for longer. Not long after she contacted TAD, she was given the news that the Aged Care Welfare Foundation was funding her Green Safe Walker. “I’m so happy that a funder came through for me at the right time!” said Barbara.

Barbara can now get up and down safely by locking the walker, use the walker to support her mobility and transport her bowls on the walker, no longer having to drag them herself.

Barbara’s Green Safe Walker, or her “red-eye express” as she likes to call it, has helped her to take the titles at districts and zones, and soon she’ll be on her way to competing in state in August.

“The walker is very effective! That’s my experience so far and I’m looking forward to many adventures with it!” said Barbara. She’s excited to let her fellow players and Bowling Clubs know about TAD’s Green Safe Walker to help them to continue to play the sport they love.